Sungduan: Positive outcome

MORE Filipinos around the globe are being inspired to pursue their talent in writing lyric poetry in English.

This is through the efforts of the De Francia Awards founded by Dr. Clarito De francia, 2005 Outstanding Citizen in Baguio who is now based in Santa Maria, California with his wife Rosemarie De Francia of De Francia Realty Group.

De Francia said the winners of the De Francia Awards 2019 lyric poetry writing contest in English come from various parts of the world, like Alberta, Canada and Creston, California.

This fulfills his vision to develop the talent and wit of the Filipino writers so that literary wisdom and skill, culture and life of the Filipino will be appreciated, disseminated and published to the world.

“With participations and winners coming various parts of the world, there is a promise that the pens and voices of Filipino poets in English will be read and appreciated globally. Inspiring students and new poets to start molding themselves brings us joy too,” De Francia added.

This year’s contest genre has two categories: professional and amateur categories. For the professional, 1st prize: Mario Tejada of Piddig, Ilocos Norte with his masterpiece, “The Brook of Anabu Now Sings No More”; 2nd prize, Nieves C. Villamin of Creston, California with her poem, “Moon Over the Vines”; 3rd prize: Jaime Raras, of San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, with his poem, “Minor Basilica”; 4th prize; Rodolfo D. Agatep Jr, with his poem, “Kismet”; and 5th prize: Ronnie Aguinaldo, with his piece, “On the White Sand.”

The winners of the amateur category are: 1st prize: Sherwin A. Ancheta of Alberta, Canada, with his masterpiece, “Whisky’s farewell to a Wishful Drunkard”; 2nd prize: Alexis Libao of Sudipen, La Union with his poem, “Of Me and You”; 3rd prize: Melanie L. Galima of Candon, Ilocos Sur with poem, “Conundrum”; 4th prize: Jobelle I. Salvador with her poem, “Magical Land”; and, 5th prize: Kimberly J. Simpliciano, with her poem, “To All Minds.”

“I never thought one day my poetry will be noticed. I’ve been writing since I was young (mostly in my ilokano/iluko) but my poems only ended up being kept somewhere in my notebooks or in my boxes as I moved from one place to another,” Sherwin Ancheta said.

The members of the Board of Jurors are: Chairperson, Dr. Aurelio Solver Agcaoili, professor of University of Hawaii, Manoa, founder of the NAKEM conferences; with Mr. Roy Vadil Aragon, a freelance, multi-awarded writer, author and editor; and, Mr. Joel Manuel, school principal of National High School, a multi-awarded writer, author.

“We’re proud supporters in honing professionals and amateurs poets,” said co-sponsor Engr. Elvira Dela.

De Francia Awards co-sposor Jesusa Ocab also expressed her commitment to continue supporting the activity.

“It inspires us to do more by having more participants and commendable masterpieces this year,” said Mrs.Ocab, another co-sponsor.

Because of the positive outcome that De Francia Awards is contributing to the Filipino literature, the Timpuyog Dagiti Mannurat Iti Iluko iti Filipinas gave a “Plaque of Recognition” to Dr. Clarito and Mrs. Rosemarie De Francia, Engr. Elvira Dela Pena and Mr. Rocky & Mrs. Jesusa Ocab, on April 13, 2019 during a literary seminar held in Cabarroguis, Quirino.

Franklin Macugay, Awards Committee Chairman, 2017, 2018, 2019 said De Francia Awards for Literature has been an inspiration to many Pinoy writers in different parts of the world.

From short story to lyric poetry contest, De Francia Awards has been instrumenal in discovering new talents and inspiring the writers.

For comments and suggestions email alahsungduan@gmail.com

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